Slater and Gordon welcomes Queensland Court of Appeal decision to allow a medical negligence compensation claim to proceed

Leading Queensland law firm Slater and Gordon has welcomed the decision by the Queensland Court of Appeal to allow their client, Cheryl Ringelstein, to be able to proceed with a medical negligence claim relating to surgery she underwent in 2004.

Slater and Gordon Medical Negligence Lawyer Maddison Veivers represented Mrs Ringelstein in an application to extend her time limits in order to allow her claim for compensation to proceed.

Time limit applications in Queensland can be difficult due to the rigorous test to extend beyond the three years. The application to extend came after media coverage highlighted deficiencies in the surgical unit Mrs Ringelstein was treated in, prompting Mrs Ringelstein to re-investigate her claim.

Earlier this year, a trial judge found against Mrs Ringelstein’s application, and Slater and Gordon appealed on her behalf.

We are extremely pleased that the Queensland Court of Appeal has today allowed Mrs Ringelstein’s appeal and determined that her time limit should be extended,

Maddison Veivers said.

“Mrs Ringelstein has dealt with significant stress as the ongoing impacts of her injuries have lasted over a decade.

“Despite being disheartened by the primary judge’s decision not to allow her extension of time, Mrs Ringelstein’s determination and strength of character has got her to today’s decision.

Mrs Ringelstein is grateful that the judges found she took reasonable steps at all relevant times to determine whether she had a legal claim, in spite of everything she was going through.

Slater and Gordon has represented Mrs Ringelstein since 2023, continuing to advocate for her after the initial judgement rejecting her application.

“Mrs Ringelstein deserves access to justice and the right to seek compensation, and today’s decision recognises that.”